galling

[gaw-ling] / ˈgɔ lɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

very upsetting

Synonyms

STRONG

aggravating annoying bitter exasperating harassing humiliating irritating plaguing provoking rankling vexing

WEAK

acid afflictive bothersome distasteful grievous irksome nettlesome painful unpalatable vexatious

Antonyms

STRONG

agreeable pleasant

WEAK

cheering comforting pleasing satisfying soothing wonderful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And that’s not even the most galling part.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

To the U.A.E., this was especially galling because several OPEC+ states were routinely falling short of their production targets.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

The most galling part was that in Zenica, near Sarajevo, on Tuesday, the Italians had scored first.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The most galling part is how rarely they do.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

It must indeed have been most galling for him to be so addressed by one such as I. 'Miss Kenton, it is dear from your tone you simply have not observed my father.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Vocabulary lists containing galling

Tuck Everlasting

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Unbroken

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A Separate Peace

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